Jeffries set to return for Wakefield Wildcats’ Super League clash with Hull FC

BEN Jeffries is set for a surprise late call-up to the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats squad that will visit Hull FC in Super League XVI round six tomorrow, Friday.

Jeffries passed a fitness test today, Thursday, and will not require surgery having shaken off a medial ligament knee injury.

Head coach John Kear said: “It is a bit of a bolt from the blue but we are very happy about that.”

Jeffries will replace one of the players already named in the 19-man squad but the decision on who will make way for the half-back has yet to be made.

Kevin Penny (ankle) and Jeremy Smith (hamstring) picked up injuries in the reserves’ Valvoline Cup defeat to Warrington Wolves last Saturday and face two to three weeks on the sidelines.

However, Matt Blaymire is making a quicker-than-expected recovery from his hand injury and Kear estimates that he will return to action within a fortnight.

Wakefield lost 22-6 to Warrington last week but their encouraging performance against one of the Super League’s in-form sides was met with praise from Kear.

After the game, he said: “I thought our effort was outstanding and defensively we certainly took steps forward.”

Kear added: “So long as they keep improving and keep putting the effort in, you know we’ll pick up some wins over the course of the season - I’m very confident of that.”

The Wakefield boss returns to the KC Stadium looking to get one over on his former club and guide his team to a win that could lift them off the bottom of the table.

Former Hull player Paul King is in the squad having passed a fitness test on Tuesday, Kyle Amor has recovered from a leg injury sustained in the loss to Wolves and fears that Frankie Mariano had broken an arm during last week’s game were dispelled by x-rays, allowing the 23 year-old to take up a place in the 19-man squad.

Wildcats’ Tommy Lee, like Kear and team-mate Paul King, will look to make an impression against his former club while Sam Obst could go up against Trinity for the first time since leaving Wakefield last month.

The game kicks off at 8pm at the KC Stadium. Tickets are available from the Wildcats Superstore until 2pm on Friday.

Read tomorrow’s Wakefield Express for more news from the Wakefield Wildcats.